to: increase the maximum number of members of Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee; provide for payment and/or waiver of recovery of 90 per cent of the value of pharmaceutical benefits supplied from an unapproved relocated pharmacy where the pharmacist has subsequently obtained approval; allow an agent to make and sign an application for a pharmaceutical benefits scheme (PBS) safety net concession or entitlement card; provide that certain ministerial determinations apply to the supply of pharmaceutical benefits by hospitals in the same way as they do to supply by pharmacies; clarify the decision-maker’s discretion to cancel approvals to supply pharmaceutical benefits; and allow a medical services provider to send claims directly to the Health Insurance Commission;

Health Insurance Act 1973

,

Health Insurance Commission Act 1973

,

National Health Act 1953

and

Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986

to provide that special supply arrangements can be used for the funding particular medicines not available through the PBS;

Health Insurance Act 1973

to restore specialist recognition status for certain specialists; and ensure that overseas trained doctors do not receive Medicare benefits for assisting at operations unless they have an exemption or have committed themselves to providing services in districts of workforce shortage; and

to: increase the maximum amount of Commonwealth financial assistance grants provided under the 1998-2003 Australian Health Care Agreements; and provide for the tabling of a statement of the total amount of financial assistance paid.

to: extend the operation of the Act for a 5-year period commencing on 1 July 2003; appropriate an amount from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for hospital services provided, and projects and programs conducted during the new 5-year period; amend the definition of “eligible person”; provide for additional conditions to apply to grants of financial assistance; and delegate certain ministerial powers.

The bill: specifies actions the minister must take when a dental practitioner who has provided a dental service and claimed a Medicare benefit payment is required to repay the benefit because certain administrative processes have not been undertaken; and requires the minister to table a report in Parliament detailing the actions taken. Also amends the Health Insurance (Dental Services) Determination 2007 to allow for circumstances where a Medicare benefit can be paid where a written quotation was not provided prior to dental treatment.

The bill: specifies actions the minister must take when a dental practitioner who has provided a dental service and claimed a Medicare benefit payment is required to repay the benefit because certain administrative processes have not been undertaken; and requires the minister to table a report in Parliament detailing the actions taken. Also amends the Health Insurance (Dental Services) Determination 2007 to allow for circumstances where a Medicare benefit can be paid where a written quotation was not provided prior to dental treatment.

to: increase the Medicare rebate from 85 per cent to 100 per cent of the schedule fee for services provided by general practitioners; and ensure that families who are eligible for Family Tax Benefit Part A are also eligible for the lower $300 safety net threshold. Also contains an application provision.